RamWall – Hillingdon Railway Stabilisation

Project: Hillingdon Railway Stabilisation

Owner: Metronet Rail

Designer: Pell Frischmann.

Contractor: J Murphy & Sons LTD.

Purpose: Upper cutting slope stabilisation below adjacent property.

RamWall type: 5mm diameter 200mm x 200mm RAMWALL mesh plus 3mm diameter,
50mm x 50mm facing mesh, 25mm rebar spikes – all stainless steel

RamWall Fill: Railway Ballast.

Date: April, 2009.

During 2008/9, Metronet Rail carried out significant railway stabilisation works on railway cuttings in the Hillingdon Railway area of London. As part of these works, a bungalow situated immediately adjacent to the crest of one of the cuttings required buttressing. This was to ensure long-term stability. Additionally, a fenced walkway was planned to provide access between the property and the railway below. Given the extremely restricted space available between the property and the cutting’s edge, a suitable construction method was essential.

Why RamWall?

To meet these challenges, a RamWall solution was selected due to its versatility, modular design, and ease of installation. RamWall is particularly beneficial in confined spaces, making it the ideal choice for this project. Its ability to be assembled in tight conditions without extensive excavation allowed for minimal disruption to the surrounding area while ensuring a robust and durable structure.

A key aspect of the design included integrating a flight of steps at the end of the RamWall to transition the walkway to a separately constructed stairway descending the face of the cutting. This was efficiently achieved by adjusting the stagger of the RamWall layers, demonstrating the adaptability of the system. Moreover, the seamless incorporation of these steps ensured safe and accessible pedestrian movement between the walkway and the lower railway area.

To guarantee longevity and compliance with stringent railway infrastructure requirements, stainless steel components were also used throughout the structure. This selection ensured the RamWall as well as the associated walkway would meet the required 120-year design life, providing a durable, low-maintenance solution for the site.

Overall, the RamWall railway stabilisation installation played a crucial role in stabilising the railway cutting while delivering a practical and long-lasting access solution in a highly constrained environment.